Adjustable rod construction for trophies and similar articles

ABSTRACT

An adjustable length rod construction for assembling trophies from selected interchangeable components, permitting the use of a single size of rod in conjunction with trophies of varying heights. The rod includes a first member having a hollow bore, an upper end of which is provided with a series of discontinuous oppositely disposed thread segments defining an interstice therebetween, and a second rod member of non-circular cross section corresponding to said interstice, and having corresponding discontinuous threads thereon so as to be longitudinally insertable therein to a degree determining the overall length of the rod, and subsequently rotatable to cause mutual engagement of the thread segments on the first and second rod members, and create a frictionally reached retained adjustment therebetween.

ilnite States St. Paul ADJUSTABLE ROI) CONSTRUCTION FOR TROPHIES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES [76] Inventor: Peter St. Paul, 530 E. 72nd Street,

Manhattan, N.Y. 10021 [22] Filed: Dec. 13, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 207,445

OTHER PUBLICATIONS A.P.C. Serial No. 299,160 published June 1, 1943 Stiegelmeyer 51March 13, 1973 Primary Examiner-Andrew V. Kundrat Attorney-Charles E. Temko [57] ABSTRACT An adjustable length rod construction for assembling trophies from selected interchangeable components, permitting the use of a single size of rod in conjunction with trophies of varying heights. The rod includes a first member having a hollow bore, an upper end of which is provided with a series of discontinuous oppositely disposed thread segments defining an interstice therebetween, and a second rod member of non-circular cross section corresponding to said interstice, and having corresponding discontinuous threads thereon so as to be longitudinally insertable therein to a degree determining the overall length of the rod, and subsequently rotatable to cause mutual engagement of the thread segments on the first and second rod members, and create a frictionally reached retained adjustment therebetween.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE ROD CONSTRUCTION FOR TROPIIIES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES This invention relates generally to the field of freestanding trophies, and more particularly to an improved assembly rod construction for use therewith. Although I have chosen to illustrate the invention in conjunction with such devices, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, that the inventive structure has application in the manufacture of lamp bases and other similarly constructed articles as well.

In the prior art, trophy construction on a commercial basis has achieved great flexibility by providing a choice of base constructions to which may be selectively attached any of a plurality of suitable figures. The base may include a relatively planar table engaging member, a generally vertically oriented column and an upper platform. In many cases, the same base and upper platform may be used in conjunction with columns of different height, depending upon customer requirements. The base, columns and platform are normally maintained in assembled condition by means of a threaded rod having an enlargement on the lower end thereof and an engaged nut on the upper end, the upper end of the rod also having provision for attachment of a suitable figure replica suggestive of the particular sport or event for which the trophy is awarded. As might be expected, the stocking of large numbers of figures, varying heights of columns also calls for the stocking of varying lengths of rod for interconnecting the same, thus unduly complicating the inventory of parts which must be normally maintained.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved interconnecting rod of selectively adjustable length, the adjustability of which eliminates the necessity of maintaining an inventory of non-adjustable rods of varying lengths, in which the effective length thereof may be varied over a range of almost two to one.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved adjustable rod construction of the class described in which the adjustment of the effective length thereof may be conveniently performed by those possessing only ordinary skill, and without resort to special tools.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved adjustable rod of the class described, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved adjustable rod possessed of the above advantages, in which provision is incorporated for the attachment of figures by either threaded or bayonet type means.

These objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation, partly in section of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the adjustable rod element forming a part of the disclosed embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a transverse enlarged sectional view as seen from the plane 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view, corresponding to that seen in FIG. 3, showing certain of the component parts in alternate relative position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view in section of an alternate form of the embodiment.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a base member 11, a column member 12, an upper platform member 13, and interchangeable figure member 14 and an interconnecting rod element 15.

The base member 11 may be of conventional construction, being bounded by a lower surface 17, side surfaces 18, a front surface 19 and an upper surface 20. A plaque 21 may be attached to the front surface 19, as is well known in the art. A vertical bore 22 extends from the lower surface 17 to the upper surface 20 for engagement of the rod element 15, the bore 22 preferably including a countersunk portion 23.

The column member 12 may be of any desired height, and is normally of hollow configuration. It is bounded by a lower edge 25, an outer surface 26 and an upper edge 27. The centrally disposed bore 28 may correspond to the diameter of the rod element 15 or not, depending upon considerations of economic manufacture.

The upper platform member 13 is of generally planar configuration, and is bounded by an upper surface 30, a lower surface 31 and includes a centrally disposed bore 32 extending therebetween.

The interchangeable figure member 14 may be of any desired configuration, and includes a base portion 34 of hollow configuration bounded by a vertical wall 35 and a horizontal wall 36 upon which a figure representation 37 is supported. Threaded attachment means 38 extends downwardly from the horizontal wall 36 to be engaged within the rod element 15, as will more fully appear.

The rod element 15 includes a lower hollow rod member 40, the lower end 41 of which is provided with a threaded bore 42 engageable with a correspondingly threaded member of plate or flange 43 engaging a lower surface of the base member 11. Adjacent the upper end 44 thereof is a segmentally threaded portion 45 including first and second sets of threads 46-47, respectively (see FIG. 3). The bore 42 terminates in an upper opening 48.

An upper rod member 49 is of narrower width than the lower member 40, and includes a lower end 50 insertable into the opening 48 and an upper end 51. The effective length of the same is bounded by a pair of threaded curvilinear sides 52 and planar smooth sides 53. Although the upper rod member 49 is illustrated as being of solid cross section, using suitable extrusion techniques, it can also be made in hollow form. Engaged on the upper end 51 is a retaining nut 55, the upper end also including a centrally disposed threaded bore 56 selectively engaging the means 38.

Assembly of the device 10 is in a conventional manner, after the effective length of the rod element 15 has been determined. This adjustment is fixed by inserting the upper rod member 49 into the lower rod member 40, and when the desired relative position has been achieved, the former is twisted through 90 with respect to the latter, causing the corresponding thread segments on each to frictionally engage. By forming the threads with relatively minimal clearance, a locking effect can be obtained without the necessity of set screw or other fastening means.

In the alternate form of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, and generally indicated by reference character 59, the attaching means 60 corresponding to the means 38 in the principal form is a smooth cylinder having a radially extending projection 61 adjacent a lower end thereof. The upper rod member 62, in addition to the threaded internal bore 63, is provided with a longitudinal slot portion 64 communicating with a peripheral slot portion 65, the portion 64-65 forming a bayonet attaching means selectively engageable by the projection 61. Using this construction, once the desired base column and platform members have been selected, they may be partially assembled with the rod element, to await the selection of an interchangeable figure member which is conveniently installed by merely inserting the means 60 to engage the bayonet interconnection. Should another figure be desired at any time, the detachment of the same is an equally facile operation.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

lclaim:

1. An adjustable length rod construction for use in assembling trophies and similar articles comprising: a first rod member of hollow configuration, and having first and second ends; a first end having means thereon for the engagement of a transversely extending flange, said second end having a bore therein and a plurality of discontinuous parallel thread segments on an inner surface of bore; a second rod member of generally noncircular cross section and having first and second ends and at least one outer peripheral surface thereon having corresponding discontinuous thread segments therein throughout a substantial portion of the length of said second rod member, said second rod member being longitudinally insertable into said hollow bore in said first rod member to adjust the effective total length of said first and second rod members, and subsequently rotatable therein to cause mutual engagement of the thread segments on each of said first and second rod members to frictionally fix a desired adjustment thereof; said second rod member having an axially disposed bore therein extending from one of said first and second ends for the reception of a trophy component having a corresponding interfitting means.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, in which said bore is defined by a threaded interior surface.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said bore is provided with a bayonet-type fitting. 

1. An adjustable length rod construction for use in assembling trophies and similar articles comprising: a first rod member of hollow configuration, and having first and second ends; a first end having means thereon for the engagement of a transversely extending flange, said second end having a bore therein and a plurality of discontinuous parallel thread segments on an inner surface of bore; a second rod member of generally non-circular cross section and having first and second ends and at least one outer peripheral surface thereon having corresponding discontinuous thread segments therein throughout a substantial portion of the length of said second rod member, said second rod member being longitudinally insertable into said hollow bore in said first rod member to adjust the effective total length of said first and second rod members, and subsequently rotatable therein to cause mutual engagement of the thread segments on each of said first and second rod members to frictionally fix a desired adjustment thereof; said second rod member having an axially disposed bore therein extending from one of said first and second ends for the reception of a trophy component having a corresponding interfitting means.
 1. An adjustable length rod construction for use in assembling trophies and similar articles comprising: a first rod member of hollow configuration, and having first and second ends; a first end having means thereon for the engagement of a transversely extending flange, said second end having a bore therein and a plurality of discontinuous parallel thread segments on an inner surface of bore; a second rod member of generally non-circular cross section and having first and second ends and at least one outer peripheral surface thereon having corresponding discontinuous thread segments therein throughout a substantial portion of the length of said second rod member, said second rod member being longitudinally insertable into said hollow bore in said first rod member to adjust the effective total length of said first and second rod members, and subsequently rotatable therein to cause mutual engagement of the thread segments on each of said first and second rod members to frictionally fix a desired adjustment thereof; said second rod member having an axially disposed bore therein extending from one of said first and second ends for the reception of a trophy component having a corresponding interfitting means.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, in which said bore is defined by a threaded interior surface. 